Chris Waller is aiming for his fourth TJ Smith Stakes victory this Saturday at Royal Randwick, with his mare Joliestar leading the charge in the Group 1 $3 million sprint feature.

Joliestar is a genuine winning hope in Saturday’s 2025 TJ Smith Stakes for the Waller stable. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Waller, who previously enjoyed a three-year reign with Nature Strip, has a strong hand in the 2025 edition.

“Newmarket Handicap winning mare Joliestar heads betting on Saturday’s 2025 TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney,” a racing analyst from Races.com.au reported.

Joliestar ($3.90), a four-year-old daughter of Zoustar, heads the betting markets at Ladbrokes.

Her recent victory in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington has solidified her position as a top contender.

She will be looking to add to her impressive 1200m record (7:4-0-2) at a track where she has won two of her previous five starts.

“Lankan Rupee (2014) was the last horse to complete the Newmarket Handicap / TJ Smith Stakes double that Joliestar is well-backed to complete 11 years later,” a racing expert from Races.com.au stated.

Joliestar will jump from barrier four with Damian Lane aboard, who won the race last year on Chain Of Lightning.

She is aiming to be the ninth mare to win the TJ Smith.

Briasa ($4.50), trained by Team Hawkes, is the second favourite.

The Smart Missile gelding, who won The Hunter (1300m) in November, finished fourth in The Galaxy (1100m) on Golden Slipper Day.

He is expected to improve at his preferred distance (5:4-0-0) and will start from barrier three with Tyler Schiller riding.

Overpass ($6.50), trained by Bjorn Baker, is another strong contender.

The first-up specialist has an impressive fresh record (8:4-3-0) and has won nearly $10 million in stakes, including dual wins in The Quokka and the Winterbottom Stakes over in WA.

He will start from barrier two with Josh Parr aboard.

Sunshine In Paris ($9), trained by Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald, will start from barrier 11.

The mare, who won the Group 1 VRC Champions Sprint down the famous Flemington straight last Melbourne Cup Carnival, recently finished fourth in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and will drop back to 1200m.

“The bookies are also taking no chances with Sunshine In Paris ($9) out in gate 11 with Chad Schofield in the saddle,” Races.com.au reported.

Magic Time ($9) and Jimmysstar ($9) are also being kept safe in betting under $10 at time of publish.

Magic Time won the Group 2 Expressway Stakes here first-up and finished third in the Canterbury Stakes leading-up to her TJ Smith Stakes test.

Maher’s classy galloper Jimmysstar won the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and finished third in the William Reid Stakes in Melbourne before his maiden trip to Sydney on Saturday.

The 2025 TJ Smith Stakes is scheduled for Randwick Race 7 at 3:55pm (AEDT) on The Championships Day 1.

2025 TJ Smith Stakes Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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